Ability to Dialog

It should be no surprise to you when I suggest that  our nation is strongly polarized Right and Left.

Many might be surprised that I suggest this rift might often be needless.

Many principals articulated well and discussed with open minds will find areas we can all agree on. 

Most issues are complicated and have many facets. In the majority of cases we can find some things that we can agree on. Some say that what we usually call "no brainers" are often "brainers" when we really look at them carefully. 

We should examine both the pros and cons of an issue. Is the issue really important? Is it in my interest to debate this issue. 

What is the most effective manner to initiate dialog on an issue.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Do your homework! Know the basics of an issue.
• Listen for understanding First
• Ask questions regarding your true understanding of the speakers position
• Focus areas of Commonality or understanding.
• Concentrate on those issues first
• When it comes to areas of difference articulate your position with strength and grace
• Articulate your position well.
• Ask questions as to understanding of your assessments. 
• Be open to being wrong
• Find areas of weakness in your argument. 
• Do more research
• Be willing to change, modify or strengthen your position.
• Be honest with yourself and with the one you are debating. 
• If applicable set the stage for future dialog. 
• Persever! Practice pays rich dividends.

Abortion - A Charged Debate!

 Abortion - How Should we Respond as Christians?

No issue is as charged with strong convictions as abortion. As we develop strong convictions we often lose clarity and good sense on both sides of this issue. 

For those of us that oppose abortion the danger is making enemies of those who are faced with abortion as an alternative. We may find it difficult to be Christlike in our behavior and attitude. Please understand I am not directing my consideration at our belief or our resolve but the manner of our response . 

Often people facing abortion may be hurt, afraid, confused, uneducated, unloved, lack the knowledge of alternatives and facing the guile of family or institutions. Yes, indeed they may have made foolish choices but fear is often the overwhelming factor.

Whatever the reason, the procedure without adequate education and medical care can be archaic. Even life can be at stake. None of us should ever want that. After all we believe God is a God of second chances. Abortions "will" happen for all kind of reasons. Abortion after rape is at least understandable even if we oppose it as an alternative. While abortion simply for birth control may be beyond my grasp it is the norm for others without a Christian moral compass.

For the Christian there is overwhelming reason  to oppose abortion. However we should be able to articulate our opposition clearly with strength, compassion and caring. 

There is much more to be said about abortion. Is it a legal issue? How has the Church responded to the issue? How should be Church respond today. Maybe we will touch on some of these issues in a later blog.

Right to Life

Interesting!

The NAACP website featured an online petition -- also posted on the liberal site MoveOn.org -- asking the Justice Department to bring federal charges against Zimmerman in the February 2012 fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin.

"The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin," the petition says. "We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights (criminal) charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation."

The same agency that pushes for "Choice" when it comes to abortion wants to use the "right to life" - "The most fundamental of civil rights" as a method to convict George Zimmerman.

I'm not taking a position on George Zimmerman here. It's the hypocracy of the very people that suggest they are defending civil rights invoking the right to life? Really?

60,000,000 babies aborted, what happend to their right to life.

Ignorance and Speech

Someone sent me their quote of the week and it got my political mind in gear. It was a quote of the late Malcolm Ford.

“ It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.”
Malcolm Forbes (1919 - 1990)

How well that fits in the political arena. So often we hear trite, silly or outright false opinions from people  who should do a little homework before they speak..

Most issues are broad and cut both for and against our opinions. We should at least have done a modicum of research before we utter words about a particular issue. It makes me remember the scripture  that says “a fool is wise in his own sight”. Words without significant thought are usually foolish at best.

Neither political party is absent from this statement. Even our current legislators are guilty of speaking of that which they know little.

Seems to me that words should be measured as to their accuracy. Words should mirror body language. Words should convey a position well. Words should not create tension or combativeness.

Your opponent will more likely respect you if your words are accurate and articulated well with respect. Your opponent  may be brought over to your view if you communicate well and articulate your positions with accuracy and understanding of the subject.

Yes it is easier to suggest solutions to problems we don’t understand. However we have lost respect to those who do. I consider that a poor trade off. Don’t you?

A Prayer By Mike Huckabee

Dear Lord, we are a nation in trouble and we won't blame political parties or politicians for our growing desperate economic and moral condition. We acknowledge that we, your people, are to be salt and light, and have failed to be your presence before our friends, family, and nation. We ask for your forgiveness of our selfishness and sin, and ask that you will speak to our leaders and intervene in the direction of our nation. We pray that we will show mercy and compassion to the poor, the unemployed, those who fight illness, and those who are discouraged. We ask that you will bring mercy and compassion to our country, which has become impoverished in spirit. Bless our nation and its leaders. Give wisdom to our President, the members of our Congress, our nation's Governors and legislatures, our mayors, and others whose decisions impact all of our lives. We thank you for your goodness and grace to our country. We accept your will for our future.

Amen!

Gerald Chester Posted this description of the history of Halloween. Thanks Gerald! I have posted it in its entirety. 

Halloween According to Wikipedia, the word “Halloween” is a contraction of “all hallows’ evening”. “All hallows’” is derived from an old English phrase that meant “mass-day of all saints”. The origin of the Halloween is also tied to the fall harvest and pagan festivals of the dead. So there appears to be a confluence of themes associated with Halloween.

Today Halloween is largely a pagan celebration. There is little connection to Christ except for the fact that on October 31, 1517 the Reformation was born. So I like to think about today as Reformation Day.

The Reformation was a benchmark event in Christian history that marked a return to sound doctrine. The church in the 16th Century had become very dualistic and money-driven. The clergy used the laity for their own agenda.

Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic priest who began to read and study Scripture. What he discovered, among other things, was the truth of justification by faith through Christ as the sole means for salvation.

The church was not teaching this doctrine, but rather using fear and manipulation to control the laity. The laity bought the right to be saved by money and loyal service to the clergy.

Martin Luther responded to this doctrinal corruption by writing a protest and posting it for public discussion on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany on this date in 1517.

What followed was a return to holistic biblical truth regarding the true nature of salvation, the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, dignity and value of work, and the calling of all believers. This is worthy of celebration.

Attached is an article that touches on some of these themes.

Happy Reformation Day!

Martin Luther's View of Faith & Work | Institute for Faith, Work & Economics Blog blog.tifwe.org What was Martin Luther's view of faith & work? Luther initially rediscovered the biblical doctrine o...

Left, Right, Middle = Fallible!

Systems are fallible because those of us who administer them are fallible. We screw up systems that could work. It may be true some systems may be better than others.

The problem throughout history remains the same. As humans we are selfish and look out for ourselves. The left looks out for the left. The same is true for the right. People are people. Most think they are right and others are wrong. What if most were wrong? We are busy making villan's of others and seeing ourselves as the sole supply of truth. Maybe we are unable to see the forest for the trees.

We take comfort in others of our own mind. The know little if anything about the other side but our friends stroke our egos and eagerly take our side.

Oh yes, I too have an opinion. Mankind is flawed. He is screwed up. He is sick inside. Jesus the Christ came not to foster the rise of capitalism nor to defend the constitution or any other institution. (things I love I might add) He came to save sinners like me . Do Christians always do the right things? Certainly not. Often they find themselves part of the problem.


I love the expressions by Phillip Yancy when he announces in his book What's So Amazing about Grace. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. Then Yancy turns the statement around. He says, " There is nothing you can do to get God to love you less". That's just amazing!

We talk about unconditional love but God wrote the book on it. We make attempts at it but GOD has done it in his Son. So left or right, it all comes to naught. But God is eternally faithful to his promises.

His promises are a free gift to those who thankfully and graciously receive them.